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FRUITING BODY EXTRACT · HEALTHY FUNGI

Auricularia extract

Auricularia auricula-judae · Jelly ear / wood ear

Product specifications At least 30% polysaccharides

Our Auricularia extract is made from carefully selected fruiting bodies. After fermentation and hot-water extraction, we process the water-soluble components into a concentrated powder in plant-based capsules.

60 capsules · 300–350 mg extract per capsule
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Auricularia extract as a fine powder in a glass bowl, illustrative image
02 / DETAILED PRODUCT INFORMATION

Auricularia: from wood ear mushroom to concentrated extract

Auricularia is known for its flexible, ear-shaped fruiting bodies and its remarkable structure, which can absorb water again after drying. Besides its place in Asian cuisine, this mushroom has a long history in traditional preparations. For our extract, the origin, the fruiting body used and the carefully selected extraction method are particularly important.

Raw materialFruiting body, without added mycelium powder
ProcessingFermentation and hot-water extraction
StandardizationAt least 30% polysaccharides
01

A recognizable species

The soft, cartilage-like fruiting bodies attach to hardwood and have a distinctive ear shape. When young, they resemble small saucers; when mature, they form folded brown to dark-brown ears. Dried specimens shrink considerably and become dark, thin and firm. After soaking in water, they regain their flexible structure.

The name Jelly ear refers to that characteristic shape. Auricularia grows on dead or weakened wood, including elder and other deciduous trees. It is a familiar edible wood ear species, but a culinary fruiting body and a standardized extract are not the same product.

02

Tradition and history

Wood ear mushrooms have been used in East Asian dishes for many centuries, including soups, salads and hot noodle dishes. Their soft, slightly crunchy texture and good keeping qualities after drying made them suitable for storage and transport. Traditional uses have also been described in European and Russian folk practices.

A woodland tale tells of a wood ear listening to rain, wind and rustling leaves. This story gives the mushroom its own place in folklore; it is not an explanation of any bodily effect.

03

Cultivation and raw materials

We use the fruiting body for our Auricularia extract. The mushrooms are cultivated on a blended substrate containing sawdust, wheat bran, cane sugar and natural gypsum. The substrate is the growing medium and is not added to the capsule as a filler.

Accuracy is important when identifying wood ear mushrooms. Several Asian Auriculariaspecies, including A. heimuer, have historically been traded under similar names. Species identity must therefore be confirmed using current raw-material documentation; a photograph alone is insufficient.

04

What does the mushroom contain?

The whole fruiting body contains polysaccharides, various glucan fractions, dietary fiber, chitin-like cell-wall components, proteins, amino acids, sterols and minerals, among other constituents. Their proportions vary by species, origin, growing medium and stage of development.

Research also examines specific Auricularia polysaccharides. Some consist of complex carbohydrate chains containing several sugar units. Which compounds ultimately occur in the extract depends on the processing and analytical method used.

05

Fermentation and hot-water extraction

After selection and processing of the fruiting body, a fermentation step and hot-water extraction follow. This releases mainly water-soluble fractions. The resulting extract is concentrated and dried into a powder suitable for capsules.

Our Auricularia extract is standardized to at least 30% total polysaccharides; the usual product specification is around 33–34%. The stated polysaccharide value does not automatically represent a separate measurement of beta-glucans.

06

How do we assess quality?

When assessing a good extract, we look beyond the total polysaccharide percentage. Correct species identification, the part of the mushroom used, raw-material composition, purity and batch traceability are also important.

Contaminant analyses, the measurement methods used and the product specification together provide a more reliable picture than any single figure. The polysaccharide content alone says nothing about a clinically proven effect in humans.

What does 30% polysaccharides mean?

At 300–350 mg of extract per capsule, a minimum of 30% total polysaccharides mathematically represents 90–105 mg of material measured as polysaccharides. This is a concentration based on the product specification, not a separately measured quantity of beta-glucans or a proven therapeutic effect.

03 / PREPARATION AND USE

Our extract preparation and how to use Auricularia

Pure extract in pullulan capsules

We fill plant-based pullulan capsules with Auricularia fruiting-body extract. The capsule shell is made of pullulan from fermented tapioca. The formulation contains no added mycelium powder, grain, starch or other fillers.

We add no caffeine, ephedrine, soy, lactose, sugar, preservatives or synthetic fragrances, colorings or flavorings. If you have an allergy or sensitivity, always check the current label and allergen information; the composition of a growing substrate is not the same as that of an extract.

Contents60 capsules
Per capsule300–350 mg extract
Extract per jar18–21 grams
CapsulePlant-based pullulan

How do you use the extract?

Dosage: 2 capsules before bedtime.

Take with a glass of water on an empty stomach.

  • 30 minutes before or approximately 90 minutes after a meal.
  • Acerola is a natural source of vitamin C. Increasing vitamin C intake when taking mushrooms is recommended to enhance their effects. Natural vitamin C helps the body absorb important substances more effectively. View the description and product information.
  • Would you like to enhance the effects of mushrooms? In that case, I recommend Chaga infusion to drink. Prepare the infusion with water at 70–80 °C and let it steep according to the historical recipe. View the full recipe in the description.
  • When combining mushrooms, use no more than three or four species.
  • For sustained results, use the same mushroom for at least two to three months.
  • If you take medication, always consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Recipe: funchoza with Auricularia and vegetables

The edible wood ear mushroom has a firm, crunchy texture and works well with noodles and vegetables. For this dish we use dried, edible Auricularia fruiting bodies, not the extract from the capsules.

Ingredients · serves 2

  • 15 g dried edible Auricularia (wood ear)
  • 120 g rice noodles or glass noodles (funchoza)
  • 1 carrot, 1 red bell pepper and 2 spring onions
  • 1 piece of fresh ginger and 1 clove of garlic
  • 1 tbsp oil, 1–2 tbsp soy sauce and optionally some sesame oil

Preparation

  1. Rinse the dried wood ear mushrooms and soak briefly in clean water until pliable; drain and cut into strips.
  2. Prepare the noodles according to the package instructions.
  3. Stir-fry the ginger, garlic and vegetables in the oil. Add the soaked wood ear mushrooms and cook them thoroughly.
  4. Mix in the noodles, season with soy sauce and serve immediately.
Do not soak dried wood ear mushrooms at room temperature for prolonged periods: generally no longer than two hours. If longer soaking is needed, do so in the refrigerator. Use the prepared dish as soon as possible and heat the mushrooms thoroughly.
Funchoza with Auricularia, noodles and fresh vegetables
Funchoza with Auricularia and vegetables

Storage

Keep the extract jar tightly closed in a dry, dark place at 10–25 °C, out of the reach of children. Protect the capsules from moisture, heat and direct sunlight.

04 / COMPOSITION AND RESEARCH

What do we know about Auricularia polysaccharides?

Auricularia is an interesting subject for mushroom research because of the structure of its polysaccharides and the different methods used to extract these compounds. In our assessment, we distinguish the mushroom as a food, the isolated constituent and our concentrated extract.

Complex polysaccharides

Auricularia contains a variety of water-soluble and less soluble polysaccharides. Researchers study the chain structure, branching and composition of individual sugars because these influence physicochemical properties such as water binding.

Beta-glucans and other fractions

Beta-glucans are one group within the broader family of polysaccharides. Research shows that their composition and measured amounts can differ by species and extraction method. General polysaccharide standardization therefore does not indicate how much of any particular glucan fraction is present.

Experimental research

Researchers study different Auricularia fractions using chemical analyses, cell models and animal studies. This includes investigations of biochemical signaling pathways and the properties of isolated polysaccharides. The preparations used cannot simply be equated with our capsule extract.

What can we conclude?

There is insufficient convincing clinical evidence for this specific Auricularia extract to claim a health benefit, improvement in physical functions or treatment of a condition in humans. Scientific interest in its constituents is separate from any proven effect of a food supplement.

05 / PRODUCT

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Healthy Fungi Auricularia extract in its original packaging
HEALTHY FUNGI · FRUITING BODY EXTRACT

Auricularia 30 %, Auricularia auricula-judae

Auricularia fruiting body extract, standardized to at least 30% polysaccharides. Packaged in 60 plant-based pullulan capsules containing 300–350 mg of extract per capsule.

€ 27,00
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